Just Write: Cannot Write but my past can!

October 29, 2013

Just Write.

Dearest Readers,

Will you allow me a wee rant?

Whoever decided that these new blood pressure medications were “just the thing” to make my body regain a normal rhythm and leave me feeling  fit as a fiddle again can KISS MY *&^%$# SWEARJAR!

What they are doing is rendering me utterly worthless. So worthless that it is downright alarming. These blood pressure meds need to be re-classified. These suckers aren’t medicine. They are “narcotics for Wildebeast.” They’re that strong.

The warning label on the side of the pill canister should not read: “may cause drowsiness.”  What it should read: “consuming this drug will turn you into a ‘Walker.'” *

Jest aside, we are talking full-on narcolepsy, folks. I started the meds last Thursday and was a little drowsy but okay. Friday, I felt a bit “fizzy”…floating+dizzy, but as the day progressed, I felt full-on etherized. I KNOW I should not have been driving a car Friday afternoon (which I did). I did have the sense to call in help with after school pickup–if I drove past my house three times with full grocery bags, God knows what 2 random children I’d snatch off the playground and offer snacks and ice water.

I could barely leave my bed all weekend, and when I did, I’d lurch downstairs, flop on a couch, warble some incoherent sentence and then pass out again. I know a weekend in bed sounds lovely, but when you can’t help it, it’s frightening.

I was too exhausted to write a single paragraph about “FuckYou Linda!” which I really wanted to do.  I slept through breakfast and dinners with my kids. When I was upright with eyes open and able to stand (a rarity), I was so clumsy that my own house seemed like an obstacle course. On Saturday, I slept 18 out of 24 hours. I somewhat gathered myself together Sunday but managed only a few hours.

That ain’t right.

It needs to stop.

I have another doctor appt. on Halloween, and let me tell you, this blood pressure medicine is taking a swift boat ride outta here, because I can’t live like this. I’m even boring myself.

But the good news is that I’m guest posting over at Project Underblog today–its an wonderful website run by amazing women–so please hop on over and explore and introduce yourselves.

I really do hope you’ll take a few moments to read some of the witty, thoughtful, touching words that other writers have submitted to Project Underblog.  I love this site because it opens my eyes to new writers who I may not know (yet).  If you’d like to submit a guest post for consideration, guidelines are on the home page.

Hope to be back soon and functioning at “beyond ‘Walker’ level.”

* If you didnt’t get my reference to The Walking Dead, get thee to the t.v.! Now!

Love you readers, and have a happy Halloween!

– Kitch

ps: Dare I go as a Walker on All Hallow’s Eve? No costume required.

{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }

Shannon October 29, 2013 at 5:03 am

I hope you get this med thing sorted out soon. It sounds horrible.

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S in AK October 29, 2013 at 8:44 am

Ain’t aging grand? Hang on to your fascinator: When women turn 50, docs really try and discourage drinking even 1 glass of wine/day. The ol’ geezers can still safely drink as many as 2/day. Are you frigging KIDDING ME?!

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Alison October 29, 2013 at 4:03 pm

The drug-induced hazes are the worst. We take meds to feel better, not like the undead. Ugh. Hope your doctor gets you sorted out!

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Abby October 29, 2013 at 5:45 pm

I have never seen the Walking Dead, but I have felt that way myself before. Not cool. You feel like a helpless, leaden zombie. I’m glad you’re going back to the doc so that they can adjust.

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Lisa @ The Meaning of Me October 29, 2013 at 6:55 pm

Holy heck, what BP meds do they have you on??? Hope they get that sorted out for you. Nothing feels quite as frustrating as trying to fix a medical problem and feeling worse in the process. And you’re totally right – a weekend in bed by choice is one thing; having a reason why you can’t manage anything else is a whole different ball game.

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Rob October 29, 2013 at 7:50 pm

Hi Dana, I definitely got the references to “The Walking Dead”. We don’t miss an episode.

I hate to think that your medication makes you feel like a walker. That sounds awful. My anxiety can make my blood pressure rise, but I don’t have high blood pressure. I don’t know your numbers and I am not a medical professional, but I hope you get this straightened out, so you can function.

I absolutely hate to share any personal information that is medical online, but I will say that it took me two years to find the right medication to help my anxiety – often caused by my thyroid disease. The thyroid disease that led to anxiety caused depression and treating that is the medication that leveled out my anxiety – with all of my emotions intact (no zombie like symptoms caused by all SSRI’s I ever tried).

That was hard to do. But, I want to encourage you to work with your doctor to find what works for you. No one should sleep away half of their day. I’ve been there because of the wrong medication.

All my best wishes and I hope you get this figured out quickly!
Rob

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Brandy October 30, 2013 at 5:14 am

As a pretty healthy, not overweight, not sedentary 37 year old I was very frustrated when the doctor determined my headaches were caused by high blood pressure. He told me that finding the right blood pressure med is a trial and error process because of the side effects and how the pill works with your body (I just love that…..) but he said he did have a new blood pressure medicine that has very low side effects but since it is new it costs more. With three on-the-go teenagers and a busy work/home life I opted for less side effects. I started taking 5mg of Bystolic a day, when I first started taking it I got a few muscles twinges but thats it. I have no side effects, my BP is normal and the headaches are gone. I have been on it for two years. Not sure if it is an option for you but I just thought I would share.

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Rudri Bhatt Patel @ Being Rudri October 30, 2013 at 10:10 am

Dana,

I hope the next doctor visit provides some much needed answers and that they can find a med that works for you. Thinking of you. xoxo

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Biz October 30, 2013 at 1:22 pm

I am the queen of sleep when I take an unusual drug, but I think you’ve got me beat on the 18 out of 24 hours! Hope you get a better answer tomorrow at the doctor.

Happy Halloween! Our office dresses up – this year I am going to be a “cereal” killer – tiny boxes of cereal taped to my shirt and a plastic knife – not very original but cheap!

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elizabeth November 5, 2013 at 7:47 am

Ugh. That’s so irritating–do makers of pharmaceuticals not realize that yes, we need to be able to function while using their wares?

Hope you get everything sorted out soon! Hope you guys had a happy Halloween!

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erin margolin November 9, 2013 at 7:22 pm

i hope you’re stabilizing somewhat, but any new medication can mean nasty business…

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